hatchery vs. breeders (heritage breeds)

[chickened]

 

[speedy2020]

[[[.....breeder quality generally are not good layers......]]]]]

I wish people who stop repeating this like little parrots. Especially the people who don't have show birds.

My show quality birds are each laying an egg a day. You can't get any more eggs out of any bird, no matter what hatchery you buy it from.

You are lucky to have good line of show quality that lay a lot of egg. Some of the line do not lay many eggs at all. I do have few hatchery birds that do not lay well either.

 

[Oregon Blues]

You are lucky to have good line of show quality that lay a lot of egg. Some of the line do not lay many eggs at all. I do have few hatchery birds that do not lay well either.

Lots of hatchery birds don't lay well. Just take a look at all the notes about why are my chickens (ducks) not laying? I don't see any of those notes stating that their birds are show quality.

I have 4 different breeds, 5 different lines. All lay well.

It's probably not sporting to compare any breed to Leghorns, whether they are hatchery or breeder birds. Some breeds have been selectively bred for heavy laying and it is going to be difficult to beat those (few ) breeds that lay an abnormally high number of eggs.

I know lots of show breeders and not one of them breeds for low egg productions. I've many times seen the advice to cull a female who is not a good layer.

 

[nova022]

I am perfectly happy with my hatchery chicks. They are pretty, have great personalities and hopefully will live up to their reputations as good layers when the time comes. I think it would be wrong of me to buy heritage stock if I do not plan to breed them. I would rather leave them to those who are attempting to perserve the breed. If I decide to breed down the road I would definitely buy from a breeder.

 

[Michael Apple]

I've had both good and bad from hatcheries and private breeders. I just keep a memory of those who've sold me bad genetics and never do business with them again. I will also warn others when asked.

 

[myfinefeatheredfriends]

I too have bought from breeders and hatcheries in the past. I love hatcheries because you can't buy such a diverse variety of breeds from anywhere else. On the other hand, the birds are as hatched so you won't get show quality stock every time, if at all. But most breeders also sell hatching eggs so the chicks are as hatched as well. Remember just because they come from show quality parents does NOT mean the chicks will be show quality, despite the ridiculous prices people on ebay sell eggs from SQ birds for - and even more amazing that people will actually PAY for these eggs! If you can afford the cost to have live birds shipped to you, I say that's the best way to go for quality birds. I bought a Serama rooster from Arkansas and a Serama hen from California to start my Serama breeding flock. I've been selectively line breeding ever since. Offspring have been getting smaller and smaller each generation, which is what I wanted. Not only that but my roo has strong hen genes so about 80% of my babies turn out to be pullets but I'm not complaining! He was worth every penny I spent to ship him and they both returned the money 10x over! Quality over quantity, that is what I say!

 

[winteree]

i prefer breeders because of the quality of the bird and the unbeatable customer service but i do have birds from ideal and their are certain birds that i can't get from breeders like meat birds. All i know is that if i do order hatchery birds in the future it will be from ideal here in Texas because Meyers sure put me off of hatchery's not for good but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth

 

[brittney radunz]

I am just curious on other people's opinons on obtaining chicks from a hatchery versus breeders?

I am looking for quality birds an I know hatcherys are a production line versus selective breeding, but there may be a chance of one or two really good ones out of, say a dozen.  I have not been able to find a breeder in my area yet. I may ask the feed store people if they know anybody in the area.

I am only looking fo heritage breeds - something that is unique.

Thanks..

.(edited to say that I am only starting out in my flocks - thanks).

dose any one have so leg horns or inns that I can by cheap

 

[brittney radunz]

I need to by som white leg horn an som naked neck grown with shipping and handling where can I go or if u have any send me the pic and price plz tak u

 

[Michael OShay]

I am just curious on other people's opinons on obtaining chicks from a hatchery versus breeders?

I am looking for quality birds an I know hatcherys are a production line versus selective breeding, but there may be a chance of one or two really good ones out of, say a dozen. I have not been able to find a breeder in my area yet. I may ask the feed store people if they know anybody in the area.

I am only looking fo heritage breeds - something that is unique.

Thanks..

.(edited to say that I am only starting out in my flocks - thanks).